Envelope construction



Nov. ll, 1958 G. B. MCFARLAND 2,859,907

ENVELOPE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TIE. 5 "F15 [j v I INVENTOR. T15 g Z3 GERALD/l/QHM/V y?? ATTORNEYS.

Nov. l1, 1958 G. B. MCEARLAND 2,859,907

l ENVELOPE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 7M /9 INVENToR.

GERALD BJW-HH/.A/vo

NJW QJ 2,859,901 Patented Nov. 11, 195s ENvaLorE coNsTRUcrIoN Gerald B. McFarland, McFarland, Calif., assignor to M. B. McFarland & Sons, McFarland, Calif., a partnership Application April 19, 1956, Serial No. 579,282

4 Claims. (Cl. 229-85) This invention relates generally to scalable containers, such as envelopes or similar containers made from paper or other material and adapted to be closed by an overlapping sealing flap.

As is well known, conventional envelopes are usually sealed by means of a flap having a glue strip adjacent the outer edge of its inner or sealing area face which strip, when moistened and the flap folded against the sealing area of the envelope body in face to face relationship, seals the envelope closed. Moistening of the glue strip is a bothersome and unpopular task since it is frequently done with a persons tongue. Further, climatic conditions and age often affect the glue during storage of the envelopes causing the glue to become non-effective or to prematurely stick during storage. Thus, the envelope is rendered Worthless since the sealing means have deteriorated.

To open such prior envelopes, it is necessary to tear or cut open the ap in order to reach its contents. Not only is this a bothersome procedure, but often the envelope is inadvertently torn during opening which often tears or otherwise damages its contents.

lIt is an object of the present invention to provide a container of Athe type described having as an integral part thereof an improved closure device that is scalable by pressure alone, thereby eliminating the distasteful task of moistening the glue; and in integral combination with such closure device, means for easily opening the container without the use of any separate opening devices such as knives and the like.

Another object is to provide an envelope having particular self contained means for opening after sealing without the use of a knife or other tool and without danger of damaging the contents of such envelope.

A still further object is the provision of a particular tape assembly for use with existing closure flap type containers to provide easy sealing and opening of such containers.

Other and more specilic objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention as an integral part of a paper envelope.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an isometric View of a paper envelope embodying the invention showing the closure ilap of the envelope open with sealing and opening tape means as an integral part of the envelope sealing ilap.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the envelope of Fig. 1, showing removal of the protective strip from the sealing tape to expose the surface of the sealing adhesive preparatory to sealing.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the envelope of Figs. 1 and 2, showing the envelope closed and with an opening tab in accessible position.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view illustrating opening the closed envelope of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional View taken in the plane of line 5 5 of Fig. 1 showing the tape on the envelope ap before removal of the protective coating for sealing.

Fig. 6 is a partial vsectional view taken in the plane of line 6 6 of Fig. 2 showing the protective coating removed and the envelope ready for sealing.

Fig. 7 is 4a partial sectional view of a sealed envelope taken in the plane of line 7 7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view of an open envelope .l taken in the plane of line 8 8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 9 9 of Fig. 2 showing further details during removal of the protective coating.

Fig. l0 is an isometric view of an open envelope having separate sealing means and provided with the opening means of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of the envelope of Fig. 10 after closing and sealing, illustrative an opening tab in accessible position.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary isometric view of the envelope of Fig. 1l, illustrating the manner of opening such envelope.

Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view taken in the plane of line 13 13 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an isometric View of a particular tape assembly in roll form and separable into individual sections adapted to be applied to existing envelopes or other containers, each section having a removable protective strip as well as an opening tab, to effect sealing and opening of the envelope in accordance with the invention.

Fig. l5 is a side elevational view of a plurality of individual tape assembly sections stacked for packaging.

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of an individual tape `assembly with protective coating on both sides of the dual coated ytape for packaging and storage prior to use.

Referring to Figs. l through 9, the invention is shown as embodied in a conventional paper envelope 11 having a body portion 12, a top opening 13 for access to the body, and a closure flap 14 which is hingedly connected, as at fold line 16, to the body portion and is adapted to close the envelope by folding over top opening 13 against body portion 12 to bring the respective sealing areas of the ap and body into face to face relationship.

To elect securing of flap 14 against body 12 to seal the envelope closed, there is provided an elongated substantially fiat tape 17 secured to the Hap 14 adjacent its free or closeure edge 18 and extending across the width of the ap. Such tape, which is coated with pressure adhesive on both sides to provide for adherence to flap 14 during manufacture of the envelope as well as for sealing the envelope closed, has a protective strip 19 temporarily adhered to and covering its adhesive surface 21 by which it is sealed to the body 12. This prevents sticking of the tape until the envelope is ready for sealing and also protects the adhesive against damage.

For removing such protective strip or coating 19 preparatory to sealing, a pull tab 22 is provided at one of its ends and is adapted to be grasped by lingers for removing the protective strip 19 to expose adhesive surface or coating 21 for sealing. -ln this connection, it will be noted that the tab 22 extends beyond the adhesive coated tape 17 to effect ready grasping for removal of the protective strip. Such tab is desirably colored to enhance locating and grasping of it.

To further facilitate removal of the protective strip, it is desirable that tape 17 have greater adhesive qualities on the side adjacent flap 14 than on the other side to thus insure that the tape will not be pulled from the ap when protective strip 19 is being removed. Both the pull tab 22 and protective strip 19 may be of the same material since the tab extends beyond adhesive surface 21 and so cannot adhere to it. Protective strip 19 should be of a non-adhesive material that will adhere to adhesive surface 21 sufficiently to protect the same, but still be easily removed therefrom by pulling7 on tab 22 without damaging the adhesive on surface 21. Pressure sensitive tape 17 may be any one of the well known pressure sensitive types such as a cellulose acetate.

When a letter or other object has been placed in the envelope and the protective strip 19 removed as above described, the envelope is simply sealed by folding closure ap 14 downward over opening 13 and pressing adhesive surface 21 of tape 17 against body 12 of the envelope which secures the ap and envelope body together.

For opening of the envelope, a tab 23, desirably colored to enhance locating it, is secured to one end of tape 17. This tab is securely fastened to the tape so that upon pulling of such tab, the tape is torn from the envelope body and pulled through the ap along its entire length (Fig. 4) thus releasing the folded flap 14 for unfolding to neatly and quickly open the envelope without damage to its contents and without the use of any tools whatsoever.

To enhance accessibility of tabs 22 and 23, they are desirably mounted at opposite ends of the tape and are of different color from each other to avoid inadvertent grasping of opening tab 23 when removing the protective strip 19 prior to sealing the envelope.

To facilitate opening of the envelope, the ap 14 is desirably provided with a tearable line of weakness 24 across its full width adjacent and parallel to the inside edge of tape 17. Upon pulling on opening tab 23 (Fig. 4) the tape 17 will tear through flap 14 along such tearable line 24, thus neatly severing the llap from the tape and opening the envelope. To insure that the tape will tear the ap upon pulling, it is desirable that the tape material be stronger than the material from which the envelope ap is made.

It is also to be noted that opening pull tab 23 should be an integral part of tape 17 or else be securely fastened thereto to enable pulling of the tape from the envelope body by means of the tab to open the envelope.

Figs. l through 13 illustrate a modification of the opening means of the present invention as applied to envelopes in which a sealing area is provided with conventional glue strips and which may be sealed by machines -in accordance with known practice. The envelope 11 shown, has the usual body 12, top opening 13 and closure flap 14 as previously described in connection with Figs. 1-9. As is conventional in such envelopes, sealing is accomplished by means of a glue strip 26 employing suitable adhesive or glue. If desired, such glue strip may be on the envelope body 12 rather than on the flap 14.

To provide for rapid and neat opening of the sealed envelope, a tape 17 is fastened to the inside of flap 14 between the sealing area (i. e. glue strip 26) and the hinge line 16 and extends substantially across such flap. In the modification of Figs. l0 to 13, the tape 17 does not have an adhesive surface to contact body 12 of the envelope but is secured solely to flap 14. Opening tab 23 is attached to one end of tape 17 and upon pulling such tab the flap is torn away or separated from the sealing area and the envelope may then be opened by swinging the flap up. It will be noted that opening tape 17 `is positioned inboard of glue strip 26 so that the flap will be entirely free when the tape 17 is torn away. To facilitate opening, a pair of tearable lines of weakness 24 may be provided on ilap 14 adjacent both side edges of tape 17. Thus, the tape is torn through the ap upon pulling tab 23 and the tape provides strength to insure controlled tearing of the envelope material to effect neat opening.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. -13 is not the equivalent of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-9, but is a modification useful under different conditions and is particularly well adapted for use in large scale operations where large numbers of envelopes are machine sealed by moistening of glue on the ap edges.

Although the foregoing description has been directed to a construction in which the opening and closing means are initially secured to the closure flap, it is to be understood that such means may also be initially secured to the body of the envelope if that is desired.

Fig. 14 illustrates a tape assembly adapted for use on containers of the closure ap type to provide such containers with the sealing and opening means of the present invention. The tape assembly illustrated comprises a dual coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape 17 which may desirably be cellulose acetate tape having adhesive on both surfaces 21. One of such surfaces 21 is covered with a protective strip 19 of any desirable material which can be removed from the tape without damage to such tape. Desirably, such protective strip is the same on both sides as this will permit rolling of the tape assembly for storage or dispensing.

At spaced intervals, selected in accordance with the containers on which it is to be used, the tape 17 is provided with tabs 23 which serve as opening tabs. Such tabs may be simply tape from which adhesive has been omitted during manufacture, or they may be formed from other materials adhesively or otherwise secured to the tape. Protective coating strip 19 is of substantially the same length as the tape portion 17 and tab 22 combined, but is offset so that individual sections 27 of tape are joined to each other at a butt lap joint 28. To provide means for Separating the tape assembly into individual lengths for application to envelopes or other containers, both the tape 17 and protective vstrip 19 are perforated or otherwise scored for tearing along oifset spaced transverse lines of weakness 28'. In this connection, it will be noted that the tabs 22 and 23 are staggered and mounted on opposite ends of each individual section of tape to enhance accessibility.

For use, the tape assembly is simply unwound from a roll 29 and a section 27 torn off at lines 28 and applied to the closure ap of a container as in Figs. 1-9. For sealing, the protective strip 19 is removed and the flap sealed. Opening is accomplished with pull tab 23 as hereinbefore described. Such a tape can be employed on a machine for manufacturing envelopes in which the tape is an integral part thereof, as in Figs. 1-9, or it may be used for hand or machine application to existing envelopes to provide both sealing and opening means.

In Fig. 14, the tape is rolled and thus both sides of protective strip 19 are used to protect adhesive surfaces 21. lf it is desired to package the tape in precut sections, a stacking arrangement as shown in Fig. 15 may be employed in which each tape section comprises a dual coated tape 17 with opening tab 23 and protective strip 19 with removal tab 22. By stacking one section on top of the other as shown, both sides of protective strip 19 are utilized to protect adhesive surfaces 21.

If it is desired to dispense the tape sections 27 as complete single units, a modification like that shown in Fig. 16 may be used. In such modification, dual coated tape 17 with tab 23, has a separate protective strip 19 on each side, thus protecting the adhesive surfaces 21 of the tape and permitting easy handling and dispensing of the tape sections.

I claim:

1. In a paper envelope or the like having a body and a closure flap hingedly connected thereto which is adapted to be folded over said body and sealed to a face thereof` a dual sealing and ap opening structure integrally united to said ilap comprising an elongated tape extending crosswise of said ap and having its inside face adhesively bonded to the inside face of said flap and providing along the length of said tape a multi-ply thickness, the outside face of said tape being coated with pressure sensitive adhesive to provide means adapted to be sealed against said body upon application of pressure, a protective strip over said outside face of said tape and removably adhered to said pressure sensitive adhesive coating to preclude blocking when said closure ap is unsealed, said protective strip having an accessible pull portion adjacent an end thereof to enable removal thereof from said pressure sensitive adhesive coating while allowing said tape to remain intact on said closure ap when the ap is to be sealed, and said tape also having adjacent an end thereof an accessible pull portion to enable the tape to be grasped when said closure flap is sealed and torn through said closure ap for opening the same.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said closure flap is provided with a line of weakness extending crosswise of said ap adjacent a side of said tape and substantially parallel thereto to facilitate tearing of said ap by said tape.

3. In a paper envelope or the like having a body and a closure ap hingedly connected thereto which is adapted to be folded over said body and sealed to a face thereof, said ap having a straight edge opposite its hinge connection and which extends across the width of the flap, a dual sealing and flap opening structure integrally united to said ap comprising an elongated tape extending crosswise of said flap with one side thereof adjacent to and substantially parallel to said ap edge and having its inside face adhesively bonded to the inside face of said ap, said tape providing along the length thereof a multiply thickness, the flap having a line of weakness extending crosswise thereof adjacent to and substantially parallel to the opposite side of said tape, the outside face of said tape being coated with pressure sensitive adhesive to provide means adapted to be sealed against said body upon application of pressure, a protective strip over said outside face of said tape and removably adhered to said pressure sensitive coating to preclude blocking when said closure flap is unsealed, said protective strip having an accessible pull portion adjacent an end thereof to enable removal thereof from said pressure sensitive adhesive coating while allowing said tape to remain intact on said closure flap when the ap is to be sealed, and said tape also having adjacent an end thereof an accessible pull portion to enable the tape to be grasped when said closure flap is sealed and torn through said closure flap along said line of weakness for opening the same.

4. The construction of claim 3 wherein the accessible pull portion of said tape is at an end opposite to the end at which the accessible pull portion of said protective strip is located.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,392,344 Lemmer Oct. 4, 1921 1,550,750 Shannon Aug. 25, 1925 1,800,143 Hughes Apr. 7, 1931 1,990,760 Swift Feb. 12, 1935 2,142,194 Karfoil Jan. 3, 1939 2,191,704 Bennett Feb. 27, 1940 2,310,371 Lines et al. Feb. 9, 1943 2,699,286 Geffroy Jan. 11, 1955 2,774,531 Rosenthal Dec. 18, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 510,989 Great Britain Aug.'11, 1939 

